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These parameters apply exclusively to selected Sfumato objects. Sfumato objects are specifically designed for the creation of photo-realistic embroidery, such as portraits, landscapes, and still-life designs. While a Sfumato object is digitized using the same vector tools as a Fill object, the stitch generation logic is unique; the software creates meanders of varying sizes and densities to replicate the tones of the underlying image.
This page provides a comprehensive overview of Sfumato object parameters within Embird Studio NEXT. It details settings across multiple tabs, including automated and manual thread shade management, color masking for selective stitching, adjustable density for different detail levels, and carving lines for edge emphasis. Furthermore, it describes the specialized working modes that facilitate color picking and shade layout previews directly within the workspace.
Left: Design composed of 6 Sfumato vector objects. Center: Finished design filled with stitches. Right: Detail showing meanders of varying shade and density.
In high-density areas, meanders are replaced with a plain fill at a specified angle. Sfumato does not provide total coverage; instead, it allows the fabric to remain visible through looser stitch areas. Consequently, selecting an appropriate Background Color is essential, as the software calculates stitch density based on the contrast between the fabric and the thread colors.
A Sfumato object can be populated with 1 to 9 thread shades. These shades are either generated automatically from the Basic Color or defined manually. Users can toggle individual shades to control the color complexity of the object. Each thread shade includes adjustable parameters for Additional Density and Shade Threshold.
Selecting the optimal number of shades is critical. Excessive shades increase the number of jump stitches and production time, while too few shades may fail to replicate the image accurately. Generally, smaller objects require fewer shades, whereas larger, more detailed objects benefit from a higher count (typically 2 to 6 shades).
Sfumato objects support openings and carvings similar to standard Fill objects. However, carvings in Sfumato are generated as additional stitches rather than needle point patterns. Users may adjust both the width and color of these carvings. Carving objects must immediately follow the Sfumato object and its openings in the object list.
The Sfumato parameters are organized into several functional tabs within the parameter panel.
The combo box at the top of the Sfumato parameters panel allows for switching between the following working modes:
Because Sfumato objects have significantly more parameters than standard objects, these preview modes are essential for efficient design. They allow for rapid visual feedback without the need to generate a full stitch file after every minor adjustment.
Angle defines the orientation of the plain fills used in high-density areas.
Maximum Stitch Length determines the longest running stitch allowed in low-density areas; anything exceeding this value is replaced with a jump stitch. While long stitches can be visually disruptive in detailed areas like eyes or mouths, an excess of jump stitches will slow down the embroidery process.
The Fidelity parameter controls the stitch count and reproduction accuracy. Higher fidelity (70-80%) increases stitch density for greater detail, which is recommended for faces. Lower fidelity (0-40%) is suitable for background elements like sky or clothing to reduce total stitch count.
Style defines the stitch layout in low-density areas. Available options include:
Basic Color serves as the reference for automatic thread shade generation and represents the object in the Object Inspector.
Background represents the fabric color intended to show through the stitches.
Thread Shades are the actual colors used to fill the object. Automatic shades create a monochrome scale based on the Basic Color, while user-defined scales allow for any color combination. Shades can be toggled OFF to simplify the design.
Additional Density allows for manual density adjustments to specific colors, overriding the automated calculations.
Shade Threshold controls the range of image tones assigned to each thread shade.
Contrast modifies the range of automatically generated thread shades. Lower contrast is recommended for softer features, such as those in portraits of women or children.
For complex photos with many small, varied color areas (such as a flower meadow), tracing individual objects is impractical. In these instances, a Color Mask allows a single Sfumato object to be partially filled based on color:
Stitch spacing is inversely proportional to density. Increasing spacing reduces density, while decreasing it increases density.
Spacing of high-density areas should be set between 0.35 and 0.45 mm for standard thread weights to ensure full coverage in plain fill areas.
Overall spacing (low/medium-density) sliders allow users to globally lighten or heavy up the looser areas of the design.
Carvings are decorative lines used to emphasize edges within the Sfumato object.
Carvings Color must correspond to one of the active thread shades.
Carvings Width allows for thicker lines. Any carving wider than 0.2 mm is constructed using short stitch lines aligned with the main fill angle.
The parameters on this tab facilitate an object-level control, overriding global tie-up settings. This capability allows for the individual adjustment of securing tie-up stitches for the specific object.
This tab expands functionality beyond simple global defaults by providing:
